…The Dragon Fruit isn’t made by dragons?

The Pitaya or Dragon Fruit is one of the most unique looking naturally occurring foods that I have ever seen, and one that I was lucky enough to try thanks to the vendor at my local farmer’s market who always seems to carry the strangest goods. Grown in the dry regions of the world such as the Southwestern part of the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia, the cactus fruit has a bright pink skin with green “scales” on the outside, and white flesh (and occasionally red flesh) with black seeds similar to the kiwi on the inside.

Though it has a very subtle flavor that bordered on bland, the flesh is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, and it helps the digestive process. Legend has it that “the fruit was created by fire breathing dragons. By eating the Dragon Fruit it was believed that you become empowered with the same strength and ferocity as the dragon. Other stories say that the Dragon Fruit looks like a dragon’s egg”.